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Tuesday, July 01, 2008

Hyundai Veracruz Challenges Luxury Crossover Market

If you're looking for proof of how far Hyundai has come in the last 20 years, go check out the Veracruz midsize crossover. Hyundai's goal here is to give you Lexus-level accommodations at a Honda price.

Hyundai's very modest Excel lowballed the car market in the 1980s but wasn't that great a vehicle. Later models, such as the Elantra, have given the Korean manufacturer real economycar credentials, but to take on the Lexus RX models is pretty gutsy.

Hyundai's styling has moved from slightly quirky but conventional to pretty attractive and slightly quirky. The Veracruz swoops and curves while the competing Honda Pilot emulates a worn pavement brick. A few styling tricks at front and rear give it an intriguing, eye-catching quality. Look at those sensuous, multi-part headlamp clusters! The flush-mounted taillamps are stretched forward boldly across the rear side panels. Tidy body panel fits and judicious use of chrome impart surprising elegance.

Inside, it's the same story. The dash swirls and rolls almost dizzyingly, with an unusual elliptical center dash top. The attractive instrument panel features colorful gauges. The easy-to-use navigation system, specially designed for Hyundai by LG, displays a three-dimensional look. The elegantly trimmed seats, convincing looking artificial wood trim, and intelligent use of silvery accents is more than a polite nod to real luxury models.

You can get a Veracruz in three models with typical car company monikers -- GLS, SE and Limited. The GLS is the "base" car, but it boasts a long list of standard features. These include power windows and locks; heated power mirrors; keyless entry; tire pressure monitor; 17-inch alloy wheels; and thirdrow seating. A 172-watt audio system with AM/FM/XM/CD is also standard, with three months of XM service included. A host of safety equipment gives the Veracruz top-level, five-star ratings in the government crash tests.

Stepping up to the SE gives you, as you might expect from the name, more "sportiness."

Because all Veracruz models use the same powertrain, this means larger (18-inch) alloy wheels, a roof rack, automatically dimming rearview mirror, and a center console with a cool box for chilling sodas (no beer, please).

The Limited adds leather seats -- the front ones heated. You also get a substantial audio system upgrade to 315 watts with CD changer, power sunroof, power tailgate, blue backlit scuff plates, and more. If the GLS is going after the Toyota Highlander, the Limited is the real Lexus fighter.

All Veracruz models are available with either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Add $1,700 to the bill for the latter. My test car was a Limited model with all-wheel drive in Liquid Silver.

These high-tech methods get the most out of an engine under a variety of operating conditions. Typical for today's automatics, a manual shift mode lets you move the car from gear to gear with the touch of a lever -- but no clutch is involved.

The EPA gives the 4,431- pound Veracruz all-wheel-drive models fuel economy ratings of 15 City, 22 Highway. Frontwheel drive models get one mpg more for each number. I averaged 16.7 mpg. In the EPA's Green Vehicle Guide ratings, all Veracruz configurations earn a 6 on the Air Pollution scale and a 5 conon the Greenhouse Gases scale.

That's good enough for a Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV) rating. If you want superior scores in the Green Vehicle Guide, Hyundai's modestly priced Elantra rates almost as high as a hybrid vehicle.

The Veracruz is enjoyable for cruising. You sit high, the seats feel great, and it's eerily silent.

Hyundai used lots of sound insulation and even has a variable engine mount that banishes vibration. They must have taken the Lexus challenge to heart. Compared to Hyundai's worthy Santa Fe, this is an upscale ride.

What's the price for all of this? The two-wheel-drive GLS starts at $27,595, including shipping charges -- very competitive.

The Limited stickers at $36,445 with shipping -- great versus a Lexus, but definitely a lot for a car with the Hyundai badge on the nose. My tester, with a navigation system, floor mats and sunroof wind deflector, came to $38,405.

Hyundai proudly backs up the Veracruz with its now-famous fiveyear, 60,000-mile New Vehicle warranty combined with a 10-year, 100,000-mile Powertrain warranty, seven-year Anti-perforation warranty (less relevant in California), and five years of unlimited-mile roadside assistance.

Are you game? The Lexus RX 350 starts at $38,265 and needs additional option packages to match the Veracruz's level of equipment. And, it's a five-passenger vehicle. If the combination of comfort, features, sevenpassenger capacity and lower purchase price matches your requirements -- and you have a little bit of a pioneer streak -- the Veracruz offers a very tempting choice.